By Alex Trukan
The quickest way into the opposition goal is down the centre. This route at the same time is the most difficult to break through as the opposition will often overload central areas and play compact block. This is why, most of the time, the attack is diverted into wide areas, to then recycle the ball through the centre again and again. This slows the tempo down and makes the team in possession more vulnerable to losing the ball. Getting better in breaking through the middle will create more chances and cause problems for the defensive team. This article discusses couple of ways to attack quickly down the centre showing different options and movements that help to create these opportunities.
As the possession is established at the back line, the first requirement enabling the team to play forwards is having players beyond the opposition units. These will often be midfielders playing around (in behind and in front) the opposition midfield. Midfielders playing in between the lines (beyond opposition midfield unit) should look to play on different angles than strikers to prevent blocking passing lines. Defender in possession should aim to make a split pass into the player beyond the opposition midfield. As the pass is made, support runs are crucial. These will be made by nearest full back and other centre midfielder, leaving on in behind the ball to recycle play if needed.
One of the ways to create angles to play forwards are runs from wide areas across the pitch into the centre. These type of runs are harder to mark as they require passing on the responsibility (screening and marking) to the next marker if the opposition defends zonally.
As soon as the player in half spaces receives the ball to play forwards, players in front of the ball would be making runs in behind the back line. This will shift the opposition backwards and create space for player on the ball to either run with it or make a through pass if required.
If the spaces to run forwards are blocked, next option is a forward pass into the strikers. This should be immediately followed by a forward run to support and combine using one-two. Players around the ball should also look to run in behind whenever possible. If the run is not used and player ends up being off-side, he should adjust as soon as he can and return to provide a passing angle.
The player which is on the ball in front of the opposition midfield or strikers unit, should be always looking to pass the ball beyond the back line into striker making a run. This would be his first option and only if this is not possible, then the next pass is into player between the lines.
Interesting moment happens when striker starts to make a run what shifts the back line backwards but the pass is not made. This will often create extra space in front of the opposition back line and encourage centre midfielder to get on the ball. As the centre midfielder drives forwards, the pass should be delayed until he commits defenders.
By Alex Trukan, Development Coach, Nottingham Forest - @AlexTrukan
